Tom Cartwright
Encyclopedia
Thomas William Cartwright MBE
(22 July 1935 – 30 April 2007) was an English cricket
er. He played in five Tests
for England in 1964 and 1965. His withdrawal from the 1968-69 tour to South Africa
, and replacement in the touring team by Basil D'Oliveira
, precipitated the sporting isolation of South Africa until apartheid was abolished.
Cricket writer, Colin Bateman, stated, "Cartwright was an exceptional bowler whose talents could not find a niche in the England side, much to the discredit of the selectors. His high, flowing action off a few steady paces produced unnerring accuracy and nip for his rich assortment of seam and swing deliveries, but England looked usually for a first change bowler with extra pace".
, Coventry
, in a miner's cottage with no running water. He was the last of four children, with three older sisters. His Methodist father worked in the Riley car factory; his mother's father was a coal miner. He inherited strong socialist views from his parents, and a strong sense of personal integrity. He was educated at Foxford School
, a secondary school in Coventry, and he captained his school and the Coventry's schools teams in football and cricket. He took trials as a right-winger at Aston Villa
, but began working at the Rootes car factory.
He joined Warwickshire
in 1952, aged 17. He began his cricket career as a batsman, preferring to open the batting, became an all-rounder
, batting further down the order, and ended as a bowler. He was very successful in first-class cricket, playing for Warwickshire from 1952–69, for Somerset
from 1970–76, and for Glamorgan
in 1977.
He made his first-class debut in Warwickshire's last county championship
match of the 1952 season, against Nottinghamshire
, scoring 82 and 22 not out. This remains the highest county score by a player aged under 17½. He did National Service
from 1953 to 1955 in the Royal Artillery
at Shoeburyness
. In 1955, he played for the Army against the Navy at Lord's, and for the Combined Services against Lancashire
, scoring three half-centuries in the two matches.
He scored seven first-class centuries, including 210 against Middlesex
in 1962. He took 100 wickets in eight seasons, and passed 1,000 runs in three seasons. He achieving the all-rounder's "double" in 1962, taking 106 wickets and making 1176 runs. In 1965, he took 100 wickets at an average of 13.85. He won the Gillette Cup with Warwickshire in 1966 and 1968.
He made his Test debut in the Fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford in July 1964, when Australian captain
Bob Simpson
reached a triple century. Both teams scored over 600 in their first innings and the match was drawn. Cartwright took 2-118 in 77 overs, including 32 maidens. He continued in the Fifth Test at the Oval
, taking 3-110 in 62 overs, including 23 maidens. He toured in the winter of 1964/65, but broke a metatarsal bone and was unable to play until the Fourth Test against South Africa at Johannesburg
. He was selected for the First Test against New Zealand
at Edgbaston
the following summer, but was then injured again and missed the next few matches. He achieved his best Test bowling figures (6-94) in his final Test appearance, when he returned for the Second Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge
later in 1965. He broke his right thumb attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in the first innings, and he was unable to bowl in the second innings. He never played Test cricket again.
He was selected for the 1968/9 tour to South Africa, but a shoulder injury caused him to withdraw at the last minute. Basil D'Oliveira
was selected to take his place, and the resulting controversy led to South Africa's exclusion from Test cricket for twenty two years.
Cartwright took 8-96 in his final match for Warwickshire in 1969. Worried about his future career, he sought a coaching position at Warwickshire before moving to Somerset to take up a coaching job at Millfield School. He became coach at Somerset, where he played with a young Ian Botham
, helping him to develop his swing bowling. He left Somerset after an argument about his fitness in 1976, and played for Glamorgan the following year before finally retiring from playing to concentrate on coaching.
After he retired from professional cricket, he was cricket manager at Glamorgan from 1977 to 1983. He became coach for the Welsh Cricket Association
and then the first Welsh national coach. For this work, he was awarded the MBE
when he retired in 2000. He also became the first cricket coach to join the National Coaching Federation's Hall of Fame. He took charge of the development of under-16 cricketers for many years, continuing until 2007.
Aged 70, he played his last game of cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down
in September 2005.
He suffered a heart attack
in March 2007, and died a month later. He was survived by his Welsh wife, Joan Rees, who he married in 1960, and by their son and daughter.
A biography, Tom Cartwright: The Flame Still Burns, by Stephen Chalke
was published in April 2007.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(22 July 1935 – 30 April 2007) was an English cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er. He played in five Tests
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
for England in 1964 and 1965. His withdrawal from the 1968-69 tour to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and replacement in the touring team by Basil D'Oliveira
Basil D'Oliveira
Basil Lewis D'Oliveira CBE , known affectionately around the world as "Dolly", was a South African-born English cricketer. D'Oliveira was classified as 'coloured' under the apartheid regime, and hence barred from first-class cricket, resulting in his emigration to England...
, precipitated the sporting isolation of South Africa until apartheid was abolished.
Cricket writer, Colin Bateman, stated, "Cartwright was an exceptional bowler whose talents could not find a niche in the England side, much to the discredit of the selectors. His high, flowing action off a few steady paces produced unnerring accuracy and nip for his rich assortment of seam and swing deliveries, but England looked usually for a first change bowler with extra pace".
Life and career
Cartwright was born in Alderman's GreenAlderman's Green
Alderman's Green is an area in the north of Coventry, England. Prior to the expansion of Coventry it was a small village....
, Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, in a miner's cottage with no running water. He was the last of four children, with three older sisters. His Methodist father worked in the Riley car factory; his mother's father was a coal miner. He inherited strong socialist views from his parents, and a strong sense of personal integrity. He was educated at Foxford School
Foxford School and Community Arts College
Foxford School and Community Arts College is a comprehensive school in Longford, Coventry, England. The school has been awarded specialist status as an Arts College. It is a coeducational school with a catchment area of north-east Coventry, stretching from Broad Heath to Longford and Holbrooks to...
, a secondary school in Coventry, and he captained his school and the Coventry's schools teams in football and cricket. He took trials as a right-winger at Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, but began working at the Rootes car factory.
He joined Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
in 1952, aged 17. He began his cricket career as a batsman, preferring to open the batting, became an all-rounder
All-rounder
An all-rounder is a cricketer who regularly performs well at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat and quite a few batsmen do bowl occasionally, most players are skilled in only one of the two disciplines and are considered specialists...
, batting further down the order, and ended as a bowler. He was very successful in first-class cricket, playing for Warwickshire from 1952–69, for Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
from 1970–76, and for Glamorgan
Glamorgan County Cricket Club
Glamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Glamorgan CCC have won the English County...
in 1977.
He made his first-class debut in Warwickshire's last county championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
match of the 1952 season, against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
, scoring 82 and 22 not out. This remains the highest county score by a player aged under 17½. He did National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
from 1953 to 1955 in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
at Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness is a town in southeast Essex, England, situated at the mouth of the river Thames Estuary. It is within the borough of Southend-on-Sea, and is situated at the far east of the borough, around east of Southend town centre...
. In 1955, he played for the Army against the Navy at Lord's, and for the Combined Services against Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, scoring three half-centuries in the two matches.
He scored seven first-class centuries, including 210 against Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
in 1962. He took 100 wickets in eight seasons, and passed 1,000 runs in three seasons. He achieving the all-rounder's "double" in 1962, taking 106 wickets and making 1176 runs. In 1965, he took 100 wickets at an average of 13.85. He won the Gillette Cup with Warwickshire in 1966 and 1968.
He made his Test debut in the Fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford in July 1964, when Australian captain
Australian national cricket captains
Australia played in the first-ever Test match in cricket in 1877, the first-ever One Day International in 1971 and the first-ever Twenty20 international in 2005...
Bob Simpson
Bob Simpson (cricketer)
Robert Baddeley Simpson AO is a former cricketer who played for New South Wales, Western Australia and Australia, captaining the national team from 1963–64 until 1967–68, and again in 1977–78. He later had a highly successful term as the coach of the Australian team...
reached a triple century. Both teams scored over 600 in their first innings and the match was drawn. Cartwright took 2-118 in 77 overs, including 32 maidens. He continued in the Fifth Test at the Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
, taking 3-110 in 62 overs, including 23 maidens. He toured in the winter of 1964/65, but broke a metatarsal bone and was unable to play until the Fourth Test against South Africa at Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. He was selected for the First Test against New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
at Edgbaston
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, also known as the County Ground or Edgbaston Stadium, is a cricket ground in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham, England...
the following summer, but was then injured again and missed the next few matches. He achieved his best Test bowling figures (6-94) in his final Test appearance, when he returned for the Second Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge
Trent Bridge
Trent Bridge is a Test, One-day international and County cricket ground located in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England and is also the headquarters of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. As well as International cricket and Nottinghamshire's home games, the ground has hosted the Finals Day of...
later in 1965. He broke his right thumb attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in the first innings, and he was unable to bowl in the second innings. He never played Test cricket again.
He was selected for the 1968/9 tour to South Africa, but a shoulder injury caused him to withdraw at the last minute. Basil D'Oliveira
Basil D'Oliveira
Basil Lewis D'Oliveira CBE , known affectionately around the world as "Dolly", was a South African-born English cricketer. D'Oliveira was classified as 'coloured' under the apartheid regime, and hence barred from first-class cricket, resulting in his emigration to England...
was selected to take his place, and the resulting controversy led to South Africa's exclusion from Test cricket for twenty two years.
Cartwright took 8-96 in his final match for Warwickshire in 1969. Worried about his future career, he sought a coaching position at Warwickshire before moving to Somerset to take up a coaching job at Millfield School. He became coach at Somerset, where he played with a young Ian Botham
Ian Botham
Sir Ian Terence Botham OBE is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain, and current cricket commentator. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname "Beefy"...
, helping him to develop his swing bowling. He left Somerset after an argument about his fitness in 1976, and played for Glamorgan the following year before finally retiring from playing to concentrate on coaching.
After he retired from professional cricket, he was cricket manager at Glamorgan from 1977 to 1983. He became coach for the Welsh Cricket Association
Welsh Cricket Association
The Welsh Cricket Association is the governing body of Welsh amateur cricket. It also runs the Welsh Cup and convenes the Welsh Coaching Forum. The WCA aims to promote, encourage, and improve amateur cricket in Wales, and to encourage and develop active participation in the game...
and then the first Welsh national coach. For this work, he was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
when he retired in 2000. He also became the first cricket coach to join the National Coaching Federation's Hall of Fame. He took charge of the development of under-16 cricketers for many years, continuing until 2007.
Aged 70, he played his last game of cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down
Broadhalfpenny Down
Broadhalfpenny Down, situated on a hilltop about a mile from the rural village of Hambledon in Hampshire, was the home venue for first-class cricket matches of the Hambledon Club from 1753 to 1781...
in September 2005.
He suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in March 2007, and died a month later. He was survived by his Welsh wife, Joan Rees, who he married in 1960, and by their son and daughter.
A biography, Tom Cartwright: The Flame Still Burns, by Stephen Chalke
Stephen Chalke
Stephen Chalke is an English author and publisher. In an article in the 2010 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, he is identified as "an author, publisher and captain of the Winsley Third XI"....
was published in April 2007.